The Military Reserve
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Military Reserve offers a unique blend of urban proximity and natural tranquility, featuring an extensive, well-maintained trail system suitable for diverse activities like hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Its beginner-friendly trails, dedicated 'kids area,' and additional amenities like a dog park and archery range make it a versatile outdoor destination for families of all activity levels, all while providing scenic mountain and city views.
Key Highlights
- ✓Very clean and well-maintained restrooms available.
- ✓Dedicated horse trailer parking provided, indicating it's welcoming to equestrian families.
- ✓Trails are described as easy, well-maintained, and suitable for beginners, with hills that aren't too steep.
- ✓Provides beautiful views of the mountains in the distance and downtown Boise on clear days.
- ✓A quiet and peaceful atmosphere, despite its convenient proximity to city activity.
- ✓Frequent opportunities to spot birds and other critters, adding a nature exploration element for children.
- ✓Features a dedicated kids area, a dog park, and an archery range, offering diverse family activities beyond hiking.
Standout Features
- ⭐Direct access to a wide array of hiking, biking, and running trails (e.g., Kestrel, Crestline & Sidewinder routes mentioned).
- ⭐Convenient location close to downtown Boise.
- ⭐Distinct amenities like a dog park, a kids area, and an archery range, catering to varied family interests.
- ⭐Outstanding scenic views of distant mountains and downtown Boise.
- ⭐A generally quiet and peaceful environment that offers an escape from city noise.
- ⭐Clean and consistently well-maintained restroom facilities.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Arrive early, ideally before 7 am on weekend mornings, to secure parking and avoid the rapidly increasing crowds and heat.
- →Be prepared for very muddy conditions by wearing appropriate waterproof footwear if there has been recent rain or snow.
- →Consider visiting in early May for cooler temperatures, greener trails, and less dust.
- →Actively look for birds and other critters on the trails to enhance the nature experience for children.
- →If trail running, reviewers found the Kestrel, Crestline & Sidewinder route (approx. 11.4 miles, 1600 ft elevation gain) to be challenging but runnable.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Trails can become very muddy after rain or snow, requiring appropriate footwear.
- ⚠Trails and parking areas become very busy and crowded after 9 am, particularly on weekend mornings.
- ⚠It can get hot and dusty later in the day, especially during warmer months (e.g., past early May).
Price & Value
No pricing information provided in the reviews, suggesting general access to the trails and amenities might be free or low cost, typical for public reserves and trail systems.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Trails are described as 'easy' with 'hills that aren't so steep,' which may accommodate some with mobility limitations or parents with strollers, though specific accessibility features like paved paths or ramps are not mentioned.
- •No specific accommodations for special needs (e.g., sensory-friendly hours, staff training) are reported.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information provided regarding outside food, picnics, or any on-site food and beverage options.
🚗Parking Info
- •Dedicated horse trailer parking is available.
- •General parking is located down by the military reserve, but can become very difficult to find a spot after 9 am on busy weekend mornings.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The trails are consistently frequented by families and people with dogs.
- •More remote trail areas may have limited traffic.
- •Trails and parking areas become very busy and crowded by 9 am on weekend mornings.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit venue-provided safety features (such as staff supervision, security patrols, or first aid stations) are mentioned in the reviews.
- •One reviewer stated they 'feel safe here for hikes' despite personally carrying weapons for safety, suggesting a general perception of a safe environment among users.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Late mornings or afternoons on weekends if you prefer to avoid significant crowds and difficult parking situations.
- • Visiting immediately after rain or snow if you want to avoid very muddy trail conditions.
- • Peak summer afternoons if sensitive to high heat and dusty trails.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Jenna Squires
a month agoLove this place. Everything about it. I carry weapons for safety, but I do feel safe here for hikes, trail runs, and occasionally horseback riding. There is horse trailer parking so we feel allowed to be there. The restroom is always very clean and taken care of. In good weather we are there probably 2-4 times a week. There are always families, and happy pups on the trail too.
Carlos Montoya
3 years agoIt can get very muddy with rain and snow, but it is an easy hike with hills that aren't so steep. Beautiful views of the mountains towards the distance and great view of downtown Boise when the skies are clear.
Cullen Anderson
4 months agoThis area is close to downtown and convenient for several hiking and biking trails. Though it is so close to city activity, time out here is generally quiet and peaceful. The trails are well maintained and can be done by beginners. And you almost always spot some birds and other critters while here.
Michael Sowers
5 years agoWe parked down by the military reserve, but this review is for the trail system itself. This was an unexpected trail-runners dream find! We were looking for some local trails to run on during a short stop-over, and wow! I thought we'd just find some old dusty road. Not so! I had no idea that Boise had these trails. We went in early May, so it was still green and not too hot and dusty. We got in an 11.4 mile run, with outstanding views and limited trail traffic, especially in the more remote trail areas. Took the Kestrel, Crestline & Sidewinder route, and looped back. Was about 1600 ft of elevation gain so it was challenging and we could run the whole way, without it being a killer (or just a hike). People on the trails were pleasant, cyclists were courteous. NOTE: we started early, at about 7 am (on Sunday). By the time we were getting back, around 9 am, it was already getting hot and was very busy, so if you're going, go early or you may have trouble getting a decent parking spot and/or you'll find the trails much more crowded.
Chad Mitchell
2 years agoThis is a great place for mountain biking. So many trails to choose from. Options for all skill levels. Also has a dog park, kids area, and archery range. Very convenient to downtown Boise.